Navigate to Homepage
Search
Main navigation
  

        
              Explore the Capitol Campus
                          Art
                            Buildings & Grounds
                            Capitol Hill Facts
                            Visitor Resources
                            Our Blog
                            What We Do
                          Areas of Expertise
                            Programs & Ceremonies
                            Projects
                            Publications
                            Strategic Objectives
                            About Us
                          Who We Are
                            History of the AOC
                            News & Notices
                            Organizational Structure
                            Partnerships & Recognition
                            Work With UsSearch Breadcrumb
    HomeExplore the Capitol CampusOur Blog
Behind the Scenes: Senate Subway Branch

The Architect of the Capitol's Senate Subway Branch operates two subway systems to transport senators, staff and escorted visitors between the Capitol Building and the Senate office buildings. Let these AOC employees show you what it's like to work in their specialized shop and area of expertise.
By Elizabeth Yoder | March 7, 2016
        
                  Image
    Person working on machinery.

Craig Smith prepares to change out a load wheel on the subway to the Dirksen and Hart Buildings in the Hart Maintenance Station. The subway staff performs monthly preventive maintenance checks to detect wear and replace the wheels, as needed.

The Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) Senate Subway Branch operates two subway systems to transport senators, staff and escorted visitors between the Capitol Building and the Senate office buildings. The systems operate from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and continue running until at least 30 minutes after the last floor vote when the Senate is in session.

The subway to and from the Capitol Building and Russell Senate Office Building consists of two 18-passenger cars built in 1958, which have been in continuous operation for nearly 60 years. The subway is powered by motor generators in a large silver panel at the center of the car, with an on-board operator to manually run the system.

The subway to and from the Capitol Building and Dirksen and Hart Senate Office Buildings consists of three 36-passenger cars on a looped track. The 21-year-old, fully automated system features linear induction motors which are located in the tracks themselves, with an operator controlling the system from a nearby mechanical room.

Image
    Two relay switches are used to open and close the doors on the Russell Building subway cars.

Two relay switches are used to open and close the doors on the Russell Building subway cars. In the subway to the Dirksen and Hart Buildings, the same task is performed by programmable logic controllers, rather than physical switches.Image
    Eric Fitzpatrick looks over the frequency drives for the subway system to the Hart and Dirksen Buildings.

Eric Fitzpatrick looks over the frequency drives for the subway system to the Hart and Dirksen Buildings.Image
    Erick Gage views the automated subway system to the Hart and Dirksen Buildings from a nearby control room. Staff continuously monitor the system so they can prevent many problems and respond quickly whenever they occur.

Erick Gage views the automated subway system to the Dirksen and Hart Buildings from a nearby control room. Staff continuously monitor the system so they can prevent many problems and respond quickly whenever they occur.Image
    Brian Crupi works on a switch control cabinet which allows operators to move a subway car to the Hart and Dirksen Buildings from one track to the other for maintenance work.

Brian Crupi works on a switch control cabinet which allows operators to move a subway car to the Hart and Dirksen Buildings from one track to the other for maintenance work.The Senate Subway Branch includes 14 full-time employees with 138 years of combined Architect of the Capitol service. According to Eric Fitzpatrick, Electromotive Equipment Supervisor, "Because of the staff's experience and workmanship, our system has a reliability rate of 99 percent or better. They also show true professionalism in everything they do."

**This story is also published in the Winter 2016 issue of AOC's *Tholos* magazine.**
Comments
    
  
    
Robert (not ve... (not verified)PermalinkMarch 7, 2016 - 3:49pmThis is awesome! Can you write an article on the chitty chitty bang bang subway on the House side?
ReplyMarty (not verified) (not verified)PermalinkMarch 14, 2016 - 7:44pmI had e great pleasure and thrill to ride the Senator Subway Systems during my December visit two years ago. Thanks to the wonderful Senator Tammy Baldwin for the once in the life time opportunity.
ReplySally  Rose (not verified)PermalinkDecember 11, 2020 - 9:07amVery cool! I had all but forgot about this. I was born in D.C. so I need to keep up. Thank-you for the article.
ReplyAdd new comment
    Your name
Email Address
        The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Comment
About text formats
Plain text
  
  
      
          No HTML tags allowed.
                      Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
                      Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.
          
    
      Recent Stories
Related Articles
            
          Behind the Scenes

  Embracing a Vintage Electric Cargo Tricycle for Greener Gardening

This innovative mode of transportation allows the dedicated gardening staff to move throughout the historic grounds of the U.S. Capitol with ease, all while carrying up to an impressive 300 pounds of gardening tools and horticultural materials.
    Behind the Scenes

  Leaves On, Leaves Off: Capitol Grounds Works Through the Winter

In the bleak winter, when most Washingtonians are looking to stay indoors, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) Capitol Grounds and Arboretum team still spends a lot of time outside.
    Behind the Scenes

  Summer Interns Gain Experience for Future Seasons of Their Careers

From carpentry and photography to clerking and gardening, the AOC internship program exposes students to a host of opportunities within the federal government.
    Behind the Scenes

  A Career Fusing Art, Design and Plants

Nick Nelson combines diverse passions into a landscape architecture career.
    
                      More Stories Serve. Preserve. Inspire.

              Contact Us
                            Accountability
                            Hill Staff Resources
                            AOC Staff Resources
Utility
  

        
              Privacy Policy
                            Image Terms of Use
                            Inspector General
                            U.S. Botanic Garden
                            U.S. Capitol Visitor CenterFacebook
	Twitter
	Flickr
	YouTube
	Instagram
	Subscribe